Iain Abernethy.com

Welcome to the August news-page! The main bit of news this month is that a new podcast is now available to listen to online or to download! Please click on the image to the right to be taken to the page where you can listen to or download the podcast.

In this month's podcast I wish to return to the very important, and frequently misunderstood, subject of kata-based-sparring. As many of you will know, kata-based-sparring (KBS for short) is a term that I use for live training drills that are based on the techniques and concepts recorded within the traditional kata. I feel it should be obvious to all - but often is not - that if we wish to be able to apply the methodology of kata in live situations, then we need to practise that methodology in a live environment.

It is my view that solo kata, bunkai study and compliant drills are nothing without live practise. This live practise should not be confused with common dojo sparring; which often has no connection to kata and is almost always based on the rules of modern competition. Kata was created to record the civilian self-protection system that was the original karate. Our karate sparring will therefore have genuine relevance to real situations if it is based on the kata and the original methods of the system.

In this podcast we will be covering the principles of KBS and next month we will be discussing specific KBS drills. This podcast begins by exploring the nature of kata and the various stages of its study and practise. It is vitally important that people do not confuse the manner in which information is preserved and presented by kata with the manner in which that information should be trained. This podcast discusses solo-kata, bunkai (application), variations, and live practise; and also how those elements should link together to form a coherent whole.

The information covered this month will explain what KBS is, how KBS is different from common “karate sparring”, how KBS relates to kata, and how it sits in the greater scheme of things within karate. If listeners ensure they are familiar with the information in this podcast they will be well placed to make use of the specific KBS drills we'll be covering next month. Please click HERE or on the image above to be taken to the page where you can listen to or download the podcast.

I have a little favour to ask. If you are enjoying the podcasts, I'd really appreciate it if our i-tunes users could post a few kind words in the reviews. The podcasts get thousands of listeners and yet we only have one review on i-tunes to date. If some of you could bulk that up so newcomers know what to expect that would be great. Thank you!

Later this month we'll be filming some new DVDs! It will be quite a while before they are all edited together and available, but I thought I'd still give you a "head's up" at this very early stage. The DVDs have the title of "The Pinan / Heian Series: The Complete Fighting System". The DVDs will be covering in-depth all the two-man drills (around 50 of them), associated with those kata, that form the bulk of bunkai side of my teaching up to 1st Dan level. These drills have proved very popular at the seminars and over the years many people have been asking about a record of those drills. To date these drills have not been put on DVD and have been something I've reserved for direct teaching to my students and the seminar regulars. The drills will also reveal a vast amount of alternative bunkai for the Pinan / Heian kata which is not shown on Bunkai-Jutsu Volume 1. It is my hope that the combination of Bunkai-Jutsu 1, these new DVDs and the forthcoming book will together provide the definitive guide to the application of the Pinan / Heian kata series. I'll be sure to keep you informed as things progress via these newsletters.

For those who have not yet read the second issue of Jissen (where have you been!?) I've also added my "Karate Grappling: Did it really exist?" article to the articles section of the website. Speaking of Jissen, the number of downloads from my own site have been huge! A massive thanks to everyone for reading the magazine and for enthusiastically spreading the word about it.

The second issue of Jissen was recently made avialable for download. Please click on the cover image to the left to be taken to the download page. I am absolutely delighted with the feedback and support that the magazine is receiving. Thanks to everyone who kindly supported our fledgling publication and spread the word amongst their peers. All involved are very grateful.

So what do we have in store for you in issue two? I'm delighted with the contents of this issue as we have some great articles on the true nature of the “traditional arts” and how to train for real situations. Please take a look at the contents below and you'll see that we have plenty of information for you to read, ponder over and make use of in your training. I hope you enjoy what our contributors have to share with us all in this issue. We've also already got plenty lined up for issue 3; which will be out in a few months' time.

Contents: Karate Grappling: Does it Exist? – Knives: Face Facts of Run Away – The 360 Degree Drill & Traditional Karate – The use of the Forearms in Combat – The Hierarchy of Training – The Street – The Way of Kata: Part 2 – Self-Defence & Dissimilar Air Combat Tactics – How to Spar for the Street: Part 2 – Are Turns Really Turns? – In Defence of Spear-Hand Strikes – Victory Over Myself

Contributors: John Titchen, Iain Abernethy, Jamie Clubb, Lawrence Kane, Kris Wilder, Chris Denwood, Dan Redmond, Lowell Hein, Matthew Sylvester, Brian P. Struchtemeyer, Eric Parsons & Michael Rosenbaum

On the 7th and 8th of February 2009 I'll be teaching in Denmark by the kind invitation of Vejle Shotokan Karate-Do (www.shotokan.dk). All the flights etc are booked and further information about the events themselves will be coming soon. I though it would be a good idea to let people know at this early stage to they can get the dates in their diary. Really looking forward to seeing you all!

Celebrating 15 years at the very top of the U.K. martial arts scene, the British Combat Association will this year be holding a residential course in November, showcasing the very best exponents of not only practical personal combat, but of traditional systems and how they can be made to work in many spheres of life.

To be held at Lilleshall National Sports Centre, there will be not only training sessions, but a full programme of lectures and discussion groups, open to non BCA members and spearheaded by the Association's Chief Instructors, Geoff Thompson and Peter Consterdine. There will be a line-up of some of the foremost Instructors with Rick Young, 'Mo' Teague, John Skillen, Russell Stutely, myself and others teaching at the event. Please click HERE for further details.

The number of subscribers to the newsletters continues to grow! A PDF version of the newsletter can also be downloaded from this page. Right click on the bold text below, and then select "save target as" (some times "save page as"). Then choose where you wish to save the file (normally the "desk top") and download it. When you go to open the file it will ask you for a password. The newsletters are for members only (it's free to join) and the password was included in the email version of the newsletter.

Below you can find details of the open seminars over the next few months. I thoroughly enjoy the seminars as it's always a great opportunity to spend time with people who are enthusiastic about all the same things I am! I look forward to catching up with you all soon. If there are any questions about any of the seminars, please don't hesitate to contact me (iain@iainabernethy.com).

I think that's about if for now? If I can ever be of assistance with anything, please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Below you can find details of all the upcoming open seminars for the next few months. If you have any questions about any of the seminars, please don't hesitate to drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com). I look forward to seeing you all at the various events!

Saturday the 30th of August will see me teach a seminar in Cornwall from 10:00am to 3:30pm. The seminar will be held at St Just Sports Centre, Cape Cornwall Road, St Just, Nr. Penzance, TR19 7JX. The cost will be £20.00 per person if making a booking and payment before 16th August 2008 (£25.00 per person thereafter). Cheques should be made payable to "Samurai Karate Cornwall" and sent to Samurai Karate Cornwall, 51 Boscaswell Village, Pendeen, Penzance, Cornwall, TR19 7EP. If you have any questions you can contact Kevin Cooke on either 07706797562 or kevin@samuraikaratecornwall.co.uk

I'll be teaching in Pontypridd, Wales on Saturday the 13th of September! The seminar will run form 11am to 3pm and will be held in Llantwit Fardre Sport Centre, Central Park, Church Village, Pontypridd, CF38 1DN (Tel: 01443 201721). The cost will be £20 per person. Cheques should be made payable to "Mr Andrew O'Brien" and sent to Andrew O'Brien, 85 Conway Rd, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9NW. Andrew can be contacted on either 02920 901062 or 07964032468.

On the 14th of September, I'll be teaching an open seminar hosted by Halifax Wado Kai Karate Club. The seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and will be held in William Henry Smith School, Boothroyd, Brighouse, West Yorkshire, HD6 3JW. The seminar will cost £25 per person. Cheques (payable to “L. Richardson”) are to be sent to the following address: Iain Abernethy Seminar, c/o Lee Richardson, 53 Turner Avenue North, Illingworth, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX2 8LF. For further details and to book your place, please contact Halifax Wado Kai Karate Club on 01422 341934 and 07818 290146. You can also email Lee Richardson via karateseminar-abernethy@yahoo.co.uk

On Sunday the 21st of September I'll be teaching at the brand-new Bristol Dojo (www.bristoldojo.com)! This seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and the address is Bristol Dojo, Upper Floor, Middle Unit, 74-78 Avon Street, Bristol, BS2 0PX. The cost is £25 per person and this must be paid at least two week before the date of the seminar. Cheques should be made payable to "Bristol Dojo" and sent to Simon O'Brien, 14 Marjoram Way , Village Quarter, Portishead, Bristol , BS20 7JF . Simon can also be contacted via simon@imperialkarate.com or 07808822578

This seminar will take place in Chelmsford, Essex from 12 to 4pm. The venue is Newlands Spring Centre, Dickens Place, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 4UU. Tickets cost £25 per person and all tickets must be purchased in advance (no “on-the-door tickets” will be available). Cheques should be made payable to “Kernow Karate club” and sent to Kernow Karate Club, 2 Abell Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6WU. For further details please email Paul Newman on paul@kernowkarate.co.uk or call Paul on 01245 460910 or 07968 632719. www.kernowkarate.co.uk

On the 12th of October I'll be teaching an open seminar from 12pm to 4pm in the Glenrothes Martial Arts Centre, Alburnie Park, Glenrothes, Fife, KY7 5RB. The centre is next to Balbirnie Fitness Centre (look for the Glenrothes Judo Club sign). The centre's website is www.glenrothesmartialarts.com The cost will be £20 and people can book a place by contact in Stuart Maxwell on stuartmaxwell04@btinternet.com or by calling 01592650862 (between 5pm and 6pm). People need to pre-book a place and payment will be taken on the door.

This seminar will take place from 12:00pm to 5:00pm and will be held in the Harewood Space Sports and Arts, Robert Atkinson Centre, Thorntree Road, Thornaby, Stockton On Tees, Cleveland, TS17 8AP. The cost of the seminar is £20 (full amount or a £10 deposit secures your place). Cheques should be made payable to "Taisho-Do Karate" and sent to Mark Raistrick, 7 Clarendon Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, TS17 8JQ. Mark can also be contacted on 07912619458 or Taishodo@aol.com for further details.

This seminar will run from 1:00pm to 5:00pm and will be held at the Walcot Dome Community Centre, Burghley Close, Walcot, Swindon, SN3 3BS. For further details and to book your place, please contact Andi Kidd at Andi.Kidd@stfc.ac.uk You can also call Andi Kidd on 07818417181. The cost of the seminar is £20 (full amount or a £10 deposit secures your place). Cheques should be made payable to “Andi Kidd” and sent to Andi Kidd, 15 Dulverton Ave, Park North, Swindon, SN3 2NT. Places are limited so please be sure to contact Andi as soon as possible.

1pm to 5pm at a cost of £20 / Person. This course is being hosted by Danny Corr's Zanshin Karate-Jutsu group and will the held at The Hut, Newtonabbey, Glengormly. For details of the seminar and to confirm your place, please contact Danny Corr on 02890599976 or email karatejutsu1@ntlworld.com You can also write to Danny at 78 Carnmoney Road, Glengormley, BT36 6HU, N Ireland. If you'd like to book your place in advance please send full payment to the above address (Cheques made payable to "Zanshin Karate"). Zanshin Karate-Jutsu Website: www.truekarate.co.uk

This seminar will take place from 12pm to 4pm on Sunday the 2nd of November 2008. It is to be held in the Fernhill Heath War Memorial Club, Droitwich Road, Worcester, West Midlands. It will cost £25 per person (inc light snack afterwards) and a deposit of £10 is to be paid by October. You are encouraged to act quickly if you wish to attend. No on the door tickets will be available. All cheques should be made payable to “Nigel Lee” and sent to 46 Pear Tree Way, Church Meadows, Wychbold, Droitwich Spa, Worcs, WR9 7JW. Nigel can also be contacted via 07534942127 and nigel1975@btinternet.com

On Saturday the 8th of November, from 11:00am to 4:00pm, I'll be teaching a seminar on the applications, principles and drills of the Pinan / Heian series and Bassai at the Dereham Martial Arts Academy, 32b Bertie Ward Way, Rashes Green Industrial Estate, Dereham, Norfolk, NR19 1TE. Places are strictly limited to 30 people and hence you are encoraged to book your place as soon as possible. The cost is £25 per person. Payment must be received by 1st November with a contact number or email address so booking can be confirmed. Please make cheques out to "Dereham Martial Arts Academy" and send to the above address. For further details please contact Neil Cook on 01362 652828 Mon-Fri 3:30pm to 9:00pm or by email at neilcook1984@hotmail.com

On the 9th of November I'll be teaching a seminar in Bingley, Bradford. The seminar will run from 11am to 3pm and will be held at Beckfoot School Sports Centre, Wagon Lane, Bingley, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD16 1EE. The seminar will cost £25 per person and payment (cheques made out to "zen karate") should be sent to Zen Karate, 25 Beaconsfield Road, Clayton, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD14 6LQ. You can also pay by debit or credit card by calling Jason Murray on 07896319718. For further details please contact Jason via enquiries@zenkarate.net or on 07896319718.

Uhrzeit: Samstags 15.11.2008 von 11.00Uhr bis 16.00Uhr / Sonntags 16.11.2008 von 10.00Uhr bis 14.00Uhr. Veranstaltungsort: Schulsporthalle der Matern-Feuerbacher Realschule in Grossbottwar (Anfahrtsbeschreibung folgt!!). Preise: für 1 Tag Seminar (Samstag oder Sonntag) - € 35 (bei vorheriger Überweisung auf das Konto) - € 40 (Bei Bezahlung in bar am Tag des Lehrgangs). Für beide Tage Seminar (Samstag & Sonntag) - € 55 (bei vorheriger Überweisung auf das Konto) - € 60 (Bei Bezahlung in bar am Tag des Lehrgangs. Rabatt: für 5 Leute die sich gleichzeitig anmelden und zahlen, kann der sechste kostenlos mitmachen. Kontakt per Mail an: Marcus.Kaspar@Yushi-Do-Kai.de and christopher.kmoch@Yushi-Do-Kai.de . Kontakt per Handy an Chris: 0176-62130616. Besuchen Sie unsere Website www.Yushi-Do-Kai.de Dort wird bald der Flyer für die Veranstaltung zu finden sein und natürlich weitere Information über uns.

On Sunday the 7th of December I'll be teaching a seminar in Stockport. The seminar will run from 12 to 4 pm and will take place the North West Martial Arts Academy, 1st Floor, 3 Tollbar St, just off Hillgate, Stockport, SK1 3EW (venue phone number is 0161 429 9343). The cost will be £25 per person. To book your place please contact Stuart Kennedy on 07786098631 or info.elitema@gmail.com. Alternatively you can also contact John Salt on 07974 833839 or by email on johnsalt56@googlemail.com. Having confirmed places are still available, you can pay by sending a cheque (payable to "E.I.M.A.") to 10 Meadow Lane, Disley, Stockport, Cheshire, SK12 2EX. Places are to be strictly limited (20 people) and hence you are requested to get in touch ASAP in order to ensure you get a place.

This seminar will take place in the Garioch Sports Centre, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire from 10am to 4pm. The seminar will cost £25 per person and must be paid in full at least two weeks before the seminar. Places are limited and you are encouraged to book early to secure your place. Cheques should be made payable to "S. Gordon" and should be sent to Steve Gordon, 8 Donald Gordon Court, Oldmeldrum, Inverurie, AB51 0GR. Further details can be gained by contacting Steve via st.gordon@btinternet.com or phone 01651 873563 (between 7pm and 9pm) or 07928905642 (during the day).

If you'd like to host a seminar yourself, please don't hesitate to drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com)

IMPORTANT: Due to taking a couple of months off from the seminars during the summer to help progress the new book, things are now very busy towards the latter part of the year. I've managed to shuffle some things around in order to free up a few more dates. At the time of writing, the following are still open:

Anyone wanting a seminar in 2008 is therefore encouraged to act quickly before all the remaining dates are taken. Please drop me a line (iain@iainabernethy.com) to book your date ASAP as all dates are given on a first come, first served basis.